When paratroopers and Royal Marine commandos stormed ashore in the
Falkland Islands last May, it was to engage in Britain's first major
war since Suez. Twenty-four days later, the Argentine army surrendered.
But the cost to Britain was high: 255 killed, 777 wounded and an
estimated $1.4 billion worth of ships and equipment lost in combat. In
addition, nagging uncertainties about the war have remained. Was it
preventable? Had Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher failed to anticipate
the Argentine threat? Did the Foreign Office goof? Was the Intelligence...